Stranger 91/100 – Ambika
“I’m not a pushover. I feel like I can stand my ground. I can be strong.”
Meet Ambika.
What’s the biggest misconception that people have about you? “I smile a lot. I can’t help it. I see new people… I don’t know what to say… I just smile. So I come off like, I wouldn’t say naive, but just too sweet maybe? I’m not a pushover. I feel like I can stand my ground. I can be strong. I like to come off sweet, but, hey, don’t take me for granted. I have a mean side too. {laughs} It’s not something I advertise, but I feel like people don’t see that when they see me.”
What advice would you give to your younger self? “Take more time off from your usual work and learn to have a little more fun.”
What form has that taken? “For me it’s just new experiences, going to new places, meeting more people, just doing anything… take a new dance class, learn something new.”
What is your biggest challenge right now? “I had a baby six months ago. I have a three year old, and now I have a six month old which is great. I love it. I’ve wanted kids for a long time, but just trying to figure out what to do with this new arrangement.”
What are your goals? Where do you want to be in ten years? “I just want to be healthier, more active for my kids, spend more time with my family… I have a lot of family back in India. I don’t travel as much because it’s really far away.”
If you could put a billboard up in Charlotte, what would it say? “I guess something about animals. I have a big soft spot for my little dogs and cats… adoption, fostering… something that would promote that. Save the animals.”
Technical Notes: It was an overcast day, so I used my small LED panel to light up Ambika’s face. However, I might have added a bit too much light in this particular instance.
Dan Russell-Pinson 